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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

Over the years, I have gotten everything from confusion, surprise, delight to disgust. Well, only once in disgust, but she grew up looking at rabbits in a completely different way. Never even as pets. But most of the time I get surprise. Then they usually ask "Do you have children?" because many people associate rabbits as a child's pet. (boy, far from it, they are not easy nor cheap pets)

I think the most shocked I'd ever seen anyone was a from a UPS delivery guy. He was delivering a package, and Bailey went up to greet him when I opened the door. (my other two are always way too freaked out when strangers first arrive, but not Bailey)

Anyways. the UPS guy looked baffled, just staring down at her as she sniffed his shoe. It was like he was trying to figure out what she was at first. I just smiled and responded, "uh, yeah, it's a rabbit." He then just stared at her as he slowly handed me the thing to sign. He didn't even look at me.

Then Bailey proceeded to hop past him out into the main apartment complex hallway. I told Bailey, "No, Bailey, get back in here!" and she turned around and came back in. Boy, if I thought he looked baffled before. I finished signing and handed it to him, he shook his head, and said, "Wow" and off he went.

I got a real kick out of that.

So what response do you usually get?

GraveheartedCampbell, CA

2443 posts

8/06/2006 11:26 PM

lol - I've heard of doggies chasing the mailman, apparently Bailey was sure that the UPS guy must have some really tasty cardboard boxes to eat.

Growing up rabbits were a real anomoly as a house pet. I don't remember anyone being shocked, but many people just didn't really know what to make of them. I have never taken kindly to rabbit stew jokes, which I've heard all my life and find really distasteful. Most people, however, did like to see the bunnies and get to know them.

I've always tried to consider my furry friends as bunny ambassadors. they work their magic to transform people into bunny lovers :-) Most people who have never been around bunnies are really surprised all the very distinct personalities our bunnies have. It seems like it never occured to them that buns are thinking and feeling creatures with loads of personality. Nowadays most of our friends are called "aunt" or "uncle" by our kids and they just love em :-)

I remember visiting neighbours when we were kids. Though we had a couple of outdoor rabbits, they kept theirs indoors. Wow, that was exciting. We never had any indoor pets as my younger sister was allergic to everything with fur or feathers. Over the years I've known a few other people with house rabbits.

Now that we have Sable I've had a variety of reactions from people. Most are very interested. The most common question is "does he use a litter box?" The most negative are the people who think it would smell bad (they haven't visited, they're just making an assumption) I tell them that the litter boxes are cleaned every day so nothing sits around to get smelly.

Sable's Mom

Elena NiznikGlasgow (Scotland)

132 posts

8/07/2006 9:07 AM

My friends and ppl who know me weren't surprised at all that i got a house rabbit. Most ppl that i tell though are a bit shocked and ask me what it does they are surprised that boo is just like a little dog and just as much fun. They look at me funny and ask me what i do with it unfortunatley most ppl in scotland think that you get a rabbit give it a carrot and that its quite happy sitting in its cage for 23 hrs of the day. So when they see boo hoping about sleeping on the sofa and begging for treats they are surprised and most are shocked that he doesnt smell at all. I dnt know where the idea that rabbits stink to high heaven came from. The best bit is when he uses his litter box their faces are great. My flat mate wasnt sure of him and moaned that he didnt like it and it would stink but now he is smitten.

Bunnies4everHercules, California

368 posts

8/11/2006 12:36 PM

I was dating this guy once who thought I was nuts for having two rabibits. He would always ask me "why did you get rabbits?", or he would say "make sure you have enough carrots". He would always say something that made me twitch. I constantly had to educate him on the behavior and care of rabbits. By the time he caught on, I stopped dating him! He thought rabbits were only good for eating or breeding. He couldn't understand why I had my rabbits spayed and neutered. He was totaly oblivous. My current boyfriend thinks it's great, but I think sometimes he gets jealous. The care of my bunnies are always first!!!!

Stacey

7 posts

8/11/2006 12:53 PM

I've gotten all kinds of looks and inquries.. especially when i say we have 4. My family thinks we're nuts but i love my bun buns to death.. My mom in law can't stand the smell of them because of the potty tray, even thought i change/clean cages all the time. oh well to each their own right. The nicees and nephews think it's cool.

Theresa MoanNashua, NH

254 posts

8/24/2006 6:56 AM

For some reason the "Add reply " isn't letting me type. Anyway, people definately are intrigured when I tell them about my pets. There is one pizza boy who comes and whenever Hugo is out, he's running around to see who's at the door. The pizza boy definately doesn't know what to make of him.The first time, all he could say was, "Is that a RABBIT?" As if I didn' t know there was a bunny playing in a box behind me or that Hugo was some unwanted pest.

BBSan Francisco Area

Forum Leader

8930 posts

8/25/2006 12:29 AM

I'll keep checking on the "Add Reply" button. It worked fine for me, but I also was having problem replying to people in general tonight when I was using Explorer, so I switched to Modzilla for the time being, but then Modzilla doesn't work with the spellcheck software in the editor box when you reply. So hmpf! Computers! Anyway, we'll keep an eye on that. Can you tell me what net engine you were using. And is it still not allowing you to use "add reply"?

Theresa MoanNashua, NH

254 posts

8/25/2006 6:34 AM

I was at work, so I think IE, or less likely netscape

BBSan Francisco Area

Forum Leader

8930 posts

8/30/2006 10:03 PM

Theresa, Is it still happening? (not being able to use the "add reply"

Theresa MoanNashua, NH

254 posts

8/31/2006 3:46 AM

Its working today

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